MADISON, N.J. — The Drew University men's basketball team exploded for 59 second-half points and the Rangers routed Saint Elizabeth University 102-73 in the first round of the Larry Horner C'40 Rose City Classic Friday evening in Baldwin Gym.

With the victory, the Rangers (2-2) will face Baruch College in the championship game on Saturday at 4 p.m. Baruch defeated Farmingdale State College 78-75 in the other first-round game.

Drew posted its highest scoring output and its first 100-point game since a 114-110 overtime loss to Neumann University on Feb. 28, 2018 in the ECAC Tournament.

Thirteen different players scored a point for the Rangers, who knocked down 17 3-pointers on the night, tying for the fourth-most in team history. Senior guard David Gervase led the way with 18 points on 4-of-7 3-point shooting while senior guard Lybrant Robinson contributed 14 points. 

Junior forward Howard McBurnie, Jr. notched his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. He also swiped a career-high six steals - just one shy of the school record. Senior guard Miles Lewis added 10 points for the Rangers.

Jarek Johnson scored a game-high 19 points for the Eagles (0-4).

The Rangers never trailed after racing out to a 9-0 lead to start the game. The lead reached double figures (25-13) on a 3-pointer from senior guard Drew Gallagher with 11:49 on the clock, and the hosts took a 43-30 lead into the locker room.

Drew saw its advantage exceed 20 (54-33) on a 3 from Gervase with 18:27 on the clock. McBurnie ignited the crowd with a thunderous alley-oop dunk off a pass from sophomore guard James Anderson to extend the lead to 28 (65-37) with 15:21 to go. McBurnie started the play with a steal before racing down the court to beat several defenders to the bucket.

Leading 70-53 with 11:32 remaining, the Rangers exploded for 32 points over the next 10 and a half minutes to hit the century mark. Five players combined for six 3-pointers down the stretch, including back-to-back triples from senior guard Kevin Griffith. 

The Rangers will be making their sixth-straight appearance in the Rose City final, and they will be searching for their first title since 2018.